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The Untold Story of Shields Green: The Life and Death of a Harper's Ferry Raider
Explores the life of Shields Green, one of the Black men who followed John Brown to Harper’s Ferry in 1859
When John Brown decided to raid the federal armory in Harper’s Ferry as the starting point of his intended liberation effort in the South, some closest to him thought it was unnecessary and dangerous. Frederick Douglass, a pioneering abolitionist, refused Brown’s invitation to join him in Virginia, believing that the raid on the armory was a suicide mission. Yet in front of Douglass, “Emperor” Shields Green, a fugitive from South Carolina, accepted John Brown’s invitation. When the raid failed, Emperor was captured with the rest of Brown’s surviving men and hanged on December 16, 1859.
“Emperor” Shields Green was a critical member of John Brown’s Harper’s Ferry raiders but has long been overlooked. Louis DeCaro, Jr., a veteran scholar of John Brown, presents the first effort to tell Emperor’s story based upon extensive research, restoring him to his rightful place in this fateful raid at the origin of the American Civil War. Starting from his birth in Charleston, South Carolina, Green’s life as an abolitionist freedom-fighter, whose passion for the liberation of his people outweighed self-preservation, is extensively detailed in this compact history. In The Untold Story of Shields Green , Emperor pushes back against racism and injustice and stands in his rightful place as an antislavery figure alongside Frederick Douglass and John Brown.
When John Brown decided to raid the federal armory in Harper’s Ferry as the starting point of his intended liberation effort in the South, some closest to him thought it was unnecessary and dangerous. Frederick Douglass, a pioneering abolitionist, refused Brown’s invitation to join him in Virginia, believing that the raid on the armory was a suicide mission. Yet in front of Douglass, “Emperor” Shields Green, a fugitive from South Carolina, accepted John Brown’s invitation. When the raid failed, Emperor was captured with the rest of Brown’s surviving men and hanged on December 16, 1859.
“Emperor” Shields Green was a critical member of John Brown’s Harper’s Ferry raiders but has long been overlooked. Louis DeCaro, Jr., a veteran scholar of John Brown, presents the first effort to tell Emperor’s story based upon extensive research, restoring him to his rightful place in this fateful raid at the origin of the American Civil War. Starting from his birth in Charleston, South Carolina, Green’s life as an abolitionist freedom-fighter, whose passion for the liberation of his people outweighed self-preservation, is extensively detailed in this compact history. In The Untold Story of Shields Green , Emperor pushes back against racism and injustice and stands in his rightful place as an antislavery figure alongside Frederick Douglass and John Brown.
248 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 7, 2020
I remember hearing and reading about John Brown and Harper's Ferry in school as a child, But never had any idea at all about others who were with him, let alone that former slaves were among them. Very informative book. Mr. DeCaro has pieced together a very compelling read that should be read by teachers and taught to students.
I received a Kindle arc in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.
I received a Kindle arc in exchange for a fair review from Netgalley.
January 19, 2021
Published in time for the 161st anniversary of the raid on Harper's Ferry, this book provides a deeply researched, piercingly analyzed examination of an extraordinary Black liberation fighter. Truly a must-read for students of abolition (both its historical legacy and the modern movements to abolish police, prisons, and carceral culture). Excluding endnotes, this book is only 174 pages, but the insight DeCaro offers us stretches far beyond the page count. Given the age of fascist, white nationalist backlash we are living through, in response to powerful advances the present-day abolitionist movement has won, this book is perfect for progressive book clubs, history nerds, and leftists who want to strengthen their connection to our political ancestors. Not many published works citing Shields Green have treated him with as much reverence or dedication to understanding him and his context. I am grateful to DeCaro for taking on this challenging and crucial effort to honor Emperor for his life and his work.
October 11, 2020
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for the publisher **
3.5-4 stars. Not much is know about Shields Green, but this author was able to pull important information together to help illustrate a man who has largely been lost to history. “Emperor” Shields Green was one of the few African-American raiders involved in the Harper’s Ferry raid with John Brown.
My knowledge of John Brown and the raid was very limited to what I was taught in school. This account helped to show a more accurate portrayal of the man, his mission, and the men he recruited for his raid. It was very fascinating to read!
3.5-4 stars. Not much is know about Shields Green, but this author was able to pull important information together to help illustrate a man who has largely been lost to history. “Emperor” Shields Green was one of the few African-American raiders involved in the Harper’s Ferry raid with John Brown.
My knowledge of John Brown and the raid was very limited to what I was taught in school. This account helped to show a more accurate portrayal of the man, his mission, and the men he recruited for his raid. It was very fascinating to read!
May 7, 2024
Not much is known about Shields Green and the author will openly say there may not have been enough for a biography but his story is very important to the Harper’s Ferry Raid. I love the lore of John Brown and any new insight is a welcome read.
May 6, 2021
Interesting, but I wish it had more information.
December 3, 2020
Just fascinating! 'Emperor' Shields Green, an abolitionist, was hugely important in the Harper's Ferry Raid of 1859 led by John Brown. The information available to the author is scattered, but he has skilfully pulled it all together to create a meaningful and illuminating record of Green's life. A contributor to one of the key events for the abolitionist cause, Green may otherwise have been forgotten, Thoroughly readable and so interesting. Thank you to Louis A. Decaro Jr., Net Galley and New York University press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews